Appli-Tec Meets OSHA’s GHS Labeling and SDS Requirements

The process for becoming GHS compliant took over a year and included Appli-Tec having to create labels that met the standard yet also fit size 3cc and 5cc syringes.

January 15, 2016, Salem, NH – In compliance with OSHA’s updated Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) 29 CFR 1910.1200, Appli-Tec, Inc. provides Globally Harmonized System (GHS) labeling and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all its adhesive and epoxy products, including its premier line of precision mixed and frozen adhesives. The company has been labeling its products in accordance with the new stringent standards since early spring 2015.

“The new GHS guidelines went into effect June 1, 2015,” says Tim Walsh, President of Appli-Tec. “Creating a label that included the required information and that fit 3cc and 5cc adhesive syringes was the biggest challenge for us. These small syringes, which have 2.2 inch long barrels, are .44 inches and .6 inches in diameter respectively — very small. We created a custom database that houses the hazards and pictograms and cross-referenced these with our individual adhesive formulations. We then created our own labels. The entire process, including research and development, took well over a year.”

The Hazard Communication Standard requires chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors to ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals leaving a facility is labeled with specific information, including a product identifier, a signal word, pictogram(s), hazard statements, and name, address and telephone number.

Although chemical companies have had ample time to meet the new standard, labeling company Loftware, Inc. surveyed 150 companies in September 2015 and found that 65% of those surveyed needed an additional six to 12 months to in order to be in compliance. Non-compliance has the potential to interrupt supply chains and significantly increase risk for employees who handle chemical products.

“We’ve been in compliance with all aspects of the new standard since early spring of 2015,” said Walsh, “including employee training and record management. We also created all new SDS for all products leaving our facility, including adhesive materials manufactured by other companies, such as 3M. Although the new standards are complex, it’s our mission to provide our customers in the aerospace and medical device industries with products that exceed their expectations and significantly reduce their risk. Due to our compliance with the new OSHA GHS, Appli-Tec customers can confidently use any of our products without worrying about non-compliance issues or safety risks.”

The federal government adopted the new standard in order to bring hazardous material handling and labeling standards into accord with international standards adopted by the United Nations. The GHS is a system for standardizing and harmonizing the classification and labeling of chemicals. The labeling system communicates hazard information, as well as protective measures, to anyone handling hazardous chemical materials.

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About Appli-Tec, Inc.
Based in Salem, NH, Appli-Tec supplies pre-mixed and frozen adhesives to the aerospace, defense, semi-conductor, and medical device industries. In business since 1983, the company is AS 9100 and ISO 9001 certified. The company’s website can be found at www.appli-tec.com.